In 1951 a division of the New South Wales University of Technology (known as the University of New South Wales from 1958) was established at Wollongong for the conduct of diploma courses.[11] In 1961 the Wollongong University College of the University of New South Wales was constituted and the College was officially opened in 1962.[12] In 1975 the University of Wollongong was established as an independent institution. Since its establishment, the University has conferred more than 100,000 degrees, diplomas and certificates. Its students, originally predominantly from the local Illawarra region, are now from over 140 countries, with international students accounting for more than 30 percent of total.[5]

The University of Wollongong has fundamentally developed into a multi-campus institution, three of which are in Illawarra (Wollongong, Shoalhaven and Innovation), one in Sydney and two overseas campus in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Sejong City, South Korea. The Wollongong Campus, the University's Main Campus, is on the original site five kilometres north-west of the city centre, and covers an area of 82.4 hectares with 94 permanent buildings including six student residences. In addition, there are University Education Centres in Bega, Batemans Bay, Moss Vale and Loftus as well as the Sydney Business School in the City of Sydney. The University also offers courses equally based on the Wollongong Campus in collaboration with partner institutions in a number of offshore locations including in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.[13][14]

The University of Wollongong marked the University's 60th Founding Anniversary in the Year of 2011.[15]

The University of Wollongong traces its origins to 1951.[16] The Foundation of the University was founded in 1951 when a division of The New South Wales University of Technology (currently known as the University of New South Wales, UNSW) was established in Wollongong. In 1962, the Division became the Wollongong College of the University of New South Wales.[17]

On the 1st January 1975, the New South Wales Parliament incorporated the University of Wollongong as an independent institution of higher learning consisting of five faculties (including Engineering, Humanities, Mathematics, Sciences and Social Sciences) with Professor Michael Birt as its inaugural Vice Chancellor. In 1976, Justice Robert Marsden Hope was installed as Chancellor of the University. As of 1982, the University amalgamated the Wollongong Institute of Higher Education which had begun life in 1962 as the Wollongong Teachers' College; thus, the merger formed the basis for a period of rapid growth in the 1980s.[18]

In 1975, the University of Wollongong gained its autonomy as an independent institution of higher learning by the New South Wales Parliament.

In 1977, the Faculty of Computer Science (currently known as the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences) developed a version of Unix for the Interdata 7/32 called UNSW 01, this was the first non-PDP Unix.[19] In the late 70s, Tim Berners-Lee sourced TCP/IP software, an integral element of the World Wide Web, from the University of Wollongong.[20]

In 1981, Dr Ken McKinnon was appointed Vice Chancellor overseeing the amalgamation of the University with the Wollongong Institute of Education (also known as WIE) in 1982. The Wollongong Institute of Education had originated in 1971 as the Teachers College (renamed the Wollongong Institute of Education in 1973)[16] This merger formed the basis of the contemporary university.

In 1983, the Faculty of Commerce was established along with the School of Creative Arts, followed by the creation of the Faculty of Education in 1984. 1984 also saw the commencement of the new Wollongong University building program which led to the construction/opening of the Illawarra Technology Centre (1985), Kooloobong (1985, 1986, 1990), Weerona College (1986), Administration, Union Mall (now known as UniCentre), URAC (1987), multi-storey carpark (1990), and heated swimming pool (1990).[18]

In 2000, the Shoalhaven Campus was opened at Nowra on the New South Wales South Coast.

In 2008, the University opened the first building at Wollongong Innovation Campus (abbreviated as iC) on a 20-hectare site at Brandon Park in Wollongong.[21] In August, the Faculty of Science Dean Professor Rob Whelan took up a new role as President of the University of Wollongong in Dubai.

In 2012, the University of Wollongong hosted the independently organised TEDx (Technology, Entertainment, Design) event for a select group of 100 people on May 29. The Event (also referred to as TEDxUWollongong) saw some of researchers at the University sharing their life's work and passion for the cutting edge field of medical bionics; a field which is currently developing the next generation of the bionic ear, bionic eye and conduits that facilitate nerve repair for spinal cord damage.[23]

In 1993, the University of Wollongong in Australia opened what was to become the University of Wollongong in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Initially called the Institute of Australian Studies (IAS), this centre made UOW the first foreign university to open a campus in the UAE, and the first Australian tertiary institution represented in the Persian Gulf.[24] IAS initially offered English language programs, before becoming a 'feeder college' by 1995, where students completed part of a degree in Business or IT in Dubai before coming to Australia to complete their studies.[25] In 1999, it was the first foreign-owned institution in the world to be issued a licence from the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates,[26] and was formally opened as University of Wollongong, Dubai Campus in October 2000. It was officially incorporated as University of Wollongong in Dubai in 2004.[27][28]

In over 60 years the University has grown from a provincial feeder college with 300 students to an international university with over 30,000 students spread across three campuses and five access centres. Originally established as a provider of technical education for engineers and metallurgists required for the region's steel industry, and the University now offers a wide range of courses across five super faculties including the Faculty of Business, the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Heath, the Faculty of Social Sciences and, lastly, the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts. These faculties incorporate 40 teaching units with over 900 members of academic staff and over 1,900 staff overall.

Since the University's foundation, the University has conferred more than 100,000 degrees, diplomas and certificates. Its students, originally predominantly from the local Illawarra region, are now from over 140 countries, with international students accounting for more than 30 percent of total.[5]

The Wollongong Campus offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The Courses are offered across five super faculties comprising the Faculty of Business, the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts. All together, nearly 30,000 students attend classes along with around 2000 staffs on the Wollongong Campus. Apart from the extensive teaching and research buildings, the Campus includes student residences, conference facilities, food halls, cafes, restaurant and bar, conferences facilities, indoor sports centres and gymnasium, Olympic-standard swimming pool and sports fields.

The Shoalhaven Campus is located at the West Nowra in the City of Shoalhaven, the University and Illawarra Institute of TAFE have built a facility that provides teaching space for both institutions, a joint library, a canteen and student facilities. Students attending at the Shoalhaven Campus have access to the full range of services offered by the University of Wollongong and learning is structured and supported by computers and information technology.

The Innovation Campus, abbreviated as iC, is located in Wollongong, New South Wales. The Campus was established with seed funding from the New South Wales Government and has received ongoing support from the Australian and NSW Governments as well as the Wollongong City Council, and was established to drive partnerships and collaboration between the research and business communities by co-locating commercial and research organization.[30]

The Innovation Campus is a centre of Australian innovation and research, as the centre to a number of the University's leading research institutes working to develop solutions to the scientific, engineering and social issues. The Campus is also a centre for executive education, as the headquarters for the University's Graduate School of Business and the ANCORS law centre, an international research and training centre of maritime law.[30]

The Sydney Business School, abbreviated as SBS, is mainly located in Sydney CBD. The School operates from three locations: the Innovation Campus in Wollongong, the Southern Sydney Campus and the Gateway Building at 1 Macquarie Place the heart of Sydney on Circular Quay in Sydney. The School offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, master and higher research degree programs; and also provides professionally focused executive education programs.

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (commonly referred to as the University of Wollongong Dubai Campus), abbreviated as UOWD, was established by the University of Wollongong in Australia, and is located in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. The University is one of the United Arab Emirates' oldest and most prestigious universities. The Campus has approximately 3500 students from almost a hundred countries.

The University of Wollongong assigned to establish the consortium campus 'Global Consortium University' located in Sejong City, South Korea; along with a Korean university, a German university and Japanese universities.[31]

The McKinnon Building at the Wollongong Campus, named after former Vice-Chancellor Ken McKinnon

The SMART Infrastructure Facility at the Wollongong Campus

The Sydney Business School’s Circular Quay Campus

The University of Wollongong has five faculties: Business; Engineering and Information Sciences; Law, Humanities and The Arts; Science, Medicine and Health and Social Sciences.[33] In addition to these areas of study, the University also provides access for students to differing levels of academic involvement and research through SMART (Simulation, Modelling, Analysis, Research, Teaching) Infrastructure Facility. Completed in February 2011, SMART is for applied infrastructure research and education. The SMART Infrastructure Facility has laboratories and research collaboration spaces. It has 30 laboratories concerned all aspects of infrastructure such as water, energy, transport and economic assessment. The different laboratories are connected by a simulation centre.[34]

The Good Universities Guide, an annual assessment of Australian universities which is published by Hobsons (a subsidiary of Daily Mail and General Trust plc.), named UOW the Australian University of the Year in 1999-2000 (joint winner) for "Outstanding Research and Development Partnerships" and again in 2000-2001 (joint winner) for "Preparing Graduates for the E-World". Additionally the University has scored a five out of five star rating every year since 1999 on 'Getting a Job', 'Positive Graduate Outcomes'.[53][54]

Australian Government's Learning and Teaching Performance Fund 2008 - Top tier rankings in every discipline category[55]

Wollongong UniCentre, an on-campus organisation and controlled entity of the University, provides the social and commercial infrastructure on the campus, administering the UniBar, student clubs and interest groups, food outlets, entertainment and activities, a books and news shop and other student services.

The geographical and social centre of the University is the Duck Pond Lawn, and its surrounding eateries and other facilities, including the UniBar. The UniBar serves alcoholic drinks and a small range of lunch foods. The UniBar building was opened by Colin Markham MP, Simon Zulian Student Rep, Nigel Pennington UniCentre GM and Gerard Sutton VC on 14 May 2001. The UniBar has since won numerous awards including the Major Award and the Public Building Award of the Architectural Design Awards held in Wollongong in 2003, the "ACUMA" award for Best New Campus Facility and the Master Builders Award for Excellence in Construction by Camarda and Cantril.[91]

In line with Commonwealth legislation introduced in October 2011, the University of Wollongong instated the Student Services and Amenities Fee. This fee was charged to student depending on their study load and location, and has been used to upgrade and subsidise existing facilities and install new facilities such as common barbecue areas.[92]

Twice a year, in July and December, an Alumni issue of the magazine is produced and sent out to almost 100,000 graduates around the world - either in print or online. Campus News was first published when the University was established as an institution in its own right - in 1975. It started life as a weekly magazine on April 2, 1975 but moved to less regular publication dates in 1976.

The magazine features news and announcements about the University, stories about graduates, research news, opinion pieces and awards and achievements. It is put together by the University's Media Unit.

Tertangala

WUSA produces the campus magazine, Tertangala. Tertangala has a 45 year history, making it older than the University of Wollongong itself. It began in 1962, when the University was an external campus of the University of New South Wales.

The magazine features student investigative and feature articles, news, artwork, opinion, film and music reviews, as well as interviews and editorials. Submissions from staff and students (including student association representatives) makes up the bulk of the magazines content, however submissions from other members of the community are also accepted.

Tertangala is produced 8 times a year.

TIDE

TIDE is an annual literary compilation edited and published by third-year creative writing students. It features prose, poetry and artworks from students and community members and was first published May 2004.

Paper, Rock

Paper, Rock is a magazine created by the School of Journalism and Creative Writing at UOW. It incorporates features, sections on arts and entertainment, stories about university life, fashion, food and wine. It was first published in August 2007.

Rhizome Magazine

Rhizome Magazine is the magazine for postgraduate and research students at UOW. It features submissions from current postgraduate students at UOW, in many cases on the topic of the students' own research. It is produced by the Wollongong University Postgraduate Association (WUPA).

The International House is the oldest residential college of the University of Wollongong and is an affiliate of the 16 International Houses Worldwide. It provides accommodation to approximately 218 students who are attending the University of Wollongong. It is situated at the corner of Porter and Hindmarsh Avenue in North Wollongong, near the North Wollongong railway station.

Residents of the residential college are predominantly undergraduate students, with some postgraduate students also accommodated. International House provides catered, dormitory style accommodation. There are 218 beds, 14 shared rooms (28 beds) and 190 single rooms.

A key part of the University's strategic agenda is research. The university’s research program includes 19 Research Strengths, 9 Externally Funded Centres, 3 Strategic Research Priority Areas, 3 Research Networks and 7 Strategic Research Initiatives.[100]

A recent research initiative is the Global Challenges Research Program.[101] It brings together researchers from a variety of disciplines to work together on three of Australia’s biggest challenges: managing an ageing population, coping with industrial transformation and sustaining coastal environments.[102][103]

The University of Wollongong has formed key alliances with a number of international corporations and organisations:[104]

Cooperation between the Geological Survey Organisation of Indonesia and the GeoQuEST Research Strength.

Members of the Institute for Social Transformation Research participating in numerous international networks dedicated to understanding the causes and implications of social change and cultural transformation. Current collaborative projects engage with research centres in Japan, Sweden, Malaysia, the UK and elsewhere.

Research partnerships between CAPSTRANS and a range of research groups in the Asia Pacific.

The Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) has developed global linkages with research institutions in the USA, Japan, South Korea, China, Ireland, France, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and the United Kingdom working on multifunctional, stimuli-responsive materials for various applications.

The Smart Foods and Public Health Centre is collaborating with research groups in Finland, Sweden, the USA and Spain.

Established in 2008, the Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) is a joint initiative of the University of Wollongong and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District. It was initiated to improve the health and wellbeing of Illawarra residents by developing a regional centre of excellence in health and medical research. The building was dedicated to former Vice Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Gerard Sutton representing his significant contribution from 1995 to 2011 at the university.[105]